Method of and machine for winding ribbons on heat exchange tubes



April 17 1945. REM. STIKELEATHER 2,374,144

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS ON HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES Filed June 29, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 17, 1945. R. M. STIKEILEATHER METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS ON HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES e She'ts-Sheet 2 Filed June 29, 1943 April 17, 1945. R M. STIKELEA THER ,3 METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS- ON HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES Filed June 29, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 fave/221303 120562 521 0mm by W J.%

April 17, 1945. R. M. EQTIKELEATHER METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS ON HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES Filed June 29, 1943 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 17, 1945. R. M. STIKELEATHER 2,374,144

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS 0N HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES Filed June 29, 1945 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 lzbzwwsn 82mg;-

April 17, 1945. 2,374,144

METHOD OF AND MACHINE FOR WINDING RIBBONS 0N HEAT EXCHANGE TUBES R; M. STIKELEATHER 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed June 29, 1943 Referring now 'to Fig. 1, the ribbon 46 lei "fed from a conveniently located spool through a guide slot formed between the guides 4| and which rolls 42 are rotated in opposite "directions and are so tapered as to roll out and to stretch and thin the outer edge of the ribbon as it passes therebetween but to have no effectupon the in-.- ner portion of the ribbon. This'r'olling causes the ribbon to spiral as it issues from the rolls 42, as illustrated. The freely rotatable roll 43 has a grooveformed therein into'which the ribg' bon fits as it"passes from the rolls 42. The roll 43 is raised and lowered by t e lever. which actuates a common screw feed'45. Theicontact of the roll 43' with the ribbon aseit passes from the rolls 42, guides the ribbon from t erein in and aids in determining the diameter of the spiral assumed by'the rolled ribbon." By raising the roll 43, the diameter of the'spiral'is increased and by lowering it, the diameter or the spiral is decreased. 7 When the. roll '43 is not usea. the diameter of the spiral varies somewhat.

With reference now to Figs. 1 and 3, the ribbon V spiral after leaving memos, isfirst'passed around and along the curved rod 46 and then around and along the curved rodliwhich guide the. spiral against the tapered, angle changing roll 48. For accomplishing this movemenpthe free end of a newly formed spiral. isattachedto the tube was by soldering or brazing and the tube pulls the ribbon over and through the apparatus now to be described.

The tapered angle chanin el'qilfitfserves 1?? change the direction of the ribbon contacting it. through an angle of- 90 for directing mermbon perpendicular to the surface of the tube It) as it first contacts same. The backingup roll 49 rotates freely on its'shaft so i the bearing 5| on the frame of the machine and extends perpendicular to the 'axisor the tube Imand closely approaches its surface as 'illustratedby Fig.6. I

The two rolls 52 have their inner surfaces spaced apart a distanceslightly greater-than the thickness of the ribbon and a, are freely rotatable on the shaft 53 which is journaledin frame of the machine. Theribbon contacting surface of the roll 49 is substantially in alignment with it substantially perpendicular to the; surface of: the tube when this is desired. Since the ribbon is formed by the rolls 42 in a spiral which has a smaller diameter th n ha f, thet lbeflli h the ribbon is forced by the rolls 4% and 52 to extend substantially perpendicular to the surf ce of the tube, it is apparent thatthe ribbon is pressed on and against the tube with considerabl'el forceg causing it tot'ightlygri'p the tube. The rolls 52 alsoaid somewhat in 'regulatingthe spacing oi.

the ribbon as it is wound spiiauyuseathetube.

Fixed, ribbon contacting tools could be used in place of the rolls 49 and 52 but the rolls are preferred since less friction is involved.

In some cases, it may be desirable not to have the ribbon perpendicular to the tube and in such cases the rolls 52 may be omitted.

The electric motor 55 as illustrated by Fig. 2, rotates through the pulleys 56, 51, and 58 and the belts59 and 66, thedrive shaft M which rotates the mechanism described in the foregoin .1 for rotating and advancin the tube II) on which guides it in between the driventapered rolls 42, the details of which are shownby-Fig. '8. The

th ribbon is wound.

The motor 55 also rotates as illustrated by Fig.

3, through the"pulley 6i and 62, the belt 63,

the gear box 64, the shaft I55, the coupling 66 and v the gear box 61, the rolls 42 which roll the'outer I edge ofv the ribbon for forming the spiral.

The spiral forming rolls and the mechanism for rotating and advancing the tube on which the ribbon is wound are thus driven in step by coordinated mechanism but it has been found that due to slight variations in the structure of the ribbon and to variations in'the feed of the ribbon or of the tube on whichitis wound there occasionally occurs too much slack or too much tension in the ribbon. To compensate for this, the mechanism to be described, varies the speed of rotation and advancementof the tube in for maintaining at all times the proper relation between the feed of theribbon and of the tube on which it is wound. a j

The pulley 5B illustrated by Fig. 2, and which has been described as a component in the rotation of, and the feed of, the tube I0 is part of a variable speed drive manufactured by the Allis- Chalmers Company and known as their Vari PitchSheave. This sheave is.att ached to the drive shaft of the motor-'55. The gear I0 when rotated in a clockwise direction (facing Fig. '2 of the drawings increases the speed of the pulley 51' and when rotated in the opposite direction, decreases the speed of the pulley 51. For adiusting the gear I8, the mechanism now to be described is used.

Referring now to Figs. 1,3, and 7, the lever Ilf is pivoted on the pivot shaft I2 to the frame of the machine and has a wire extension I3 which is looped around the ribbon spiral at a point substantially midway between where it leaves the outer end of the curved guide rod 45 and enters the inner end of the curved guiderod 41.

The lower end of the pivot rod I2 is attached as best illustrated by Fig. '7, to the valve 93'which when the ribbon is out of step with the tube upon which it is wound, uncovers 'either' the port 14 or the port I5 in the pressure chamber I9. Air under'pressure from a suitable source is supplied through the tube I6 andan orifice in the tube '17 and through the tube I8 into one side of the pressure chamber "I9, and through the tube I6 and an'oriflce in the tube and through the tube BI into the other side of the pressure chamber I9. g

The tube l6 connects with the'cylinder 82 and the tube Bl'connects with the cylinder 63. The piston rod 84 of the cylinder 82 when air pressure is applied to the cylinder 82, moves outwardly as illustrated by Fig. I to strike the extension 85 on the lever 86, causing it to move to central" portion, in mesh with the gear Ill.

The cylinder 83 has a similar piston'irod'88 'whichcontacts the extension 89 on'the' lever I 1 "fIf thertensi'o aerwnen aii 'pressuretwisrapplied itowthe' cylinder: at i when themes; as? is rotated whammy 4 V min-the ribbon'spiral becomes-too great: the lever It is adjusted" in" the opposite direction-to" that described: inthe ioregoing andmovesfthervalve to'close the portilb ana-wopm thezrportj'lli; This? causest'he byLinder-M to retractits pistons-r and the cylinder 83 to extend its" piston-"88 to'str'ike the extension 89 and tomove the lever iifi to the'rightwith ref erence tb" Fig? 7" of" the drawings, causing'; the? rack 8'! to rotate the gear'lll' in a" counterclock; wise" direction for slowing up? the feed of thetube-i0: f

' When the tension ofthe' ribbon"spira;li is just; right; the .leveril'l' assumes mid -position" BJS'LiIIlJS-Ia trated indotted outline by Fig. 7 with the'result that'both'port's T4 and: 15 are. partially uncovere'd so. that both leak "air and: neither of the cylinderssat and 83 I receive; air and the gear 10 is'iiot'rotated.iheither direction; t

' The springs 90 are connected to; the extension atrium the. 1ever' 8'6" at the midpoint'fofthe rack 81; and tofthe extensions 92Ton the cylinders Bland 8 3- andlserve to urge...the;.rack.. 81' towards. midpositi'on; a

The tube. Ill with thev ribbon wound... spirally thereon may be. fed fromjthemac'hine,describedl ii'rfthe foregoing, through the usual. cleaning and? solderi baths for more securely a'ffixingf the ribbonto thetube iffthatjisdesir ed; T

While. one. "mbod ent of the invention, has, been: described, for v the v'purpose of illustration; it 'shouldibefunderstood that the invention. -isnot. limited to the exact apnaratus and arrangement;

oiwappanatusiiilusti'ated. asmodifications thereon so maybe suggested by those siiilled in the art, without departure; fromithe essence oi theiinvenq a. a

"W a iesclemled .l. The. method of windingametal ribbon upon a. heat exchange. .tube which comprises rollinglone edge of the. ribbonior. iorming aspiral, rotating, and. advancing to the, tube, conveying, the. ribbon. spiral tothe tube, winding ribbon from the spiral on .the.tu be, and. varying the, speed of rotation of," and thespeed of advance of; thettubetinacqcordancewith variations; thefltension of v the spiral iniitsrtravelto. said; tube,'

'e,methodof winding ame tal 'r' ibbo n upon a heat. exchange tube which comprises. rolling.

onefedge'oi theLribbonhior iomning aspiral' hav ea anom te e s-m tt ea devdi meter; of the.,tu be,, rotating and advancing, the.

' tu nv yin th r b on S al 0 I e me:

winding ribbonfrom the spiral ontnettube, force: ing,the;ribbon. to,.-assumea position substantialhg perpendicular: to thesurfa0e: of the tube. as it is woundi'on". the. tube whereby; therpribbonrtightlz: grips .theetube; surface; and. varyingathe speed on mationzoitandithessneed orzadvance .oLz/tbe tube:

g up*-the=-feed of theitube lllf agree in: aboordancei withi variation'sr imithei-flinsmni' of: the spirazlieonritsitravelito said-.tubea 3'.a.The=methodt:oi windingtarmetali'ribboniupon a heat. a exchangw tubes. which: comorisesa'omlling;

52 on'ez-edge: otthe-ribbon;fonrforming:aaspiral haw ing'an: inside; diameter less: than: the :outside; die-- ameten: of:rthei.=tube,- rotating:andfadvancingzthe: tube; conveying; thezsribbomspiral tmthertube; winding ribbon from .the-sspiraleton thetube; ap+ IOI plying: pressure to:- bothxa sidesof; the: ribbonhfor: forcing itztmassumezai'position substantiallvvpere pendicularztos the; surfacelof; the; tube: whereby the: ribbomtightiy: grips these tube: surface,--. and varying the speed of rotation of, and the speed? of advanceiof; the :tubezhraccordancewithrvariations imthez-tensionrot: the; spirals. inritsrtraveli to; said: tube.

4:.- The -methodofiwin inside diameter: less? them the: outside diameter: ofz. the: tube rotating; and advancing the; tube;. conveying; the ribbon: spiral. to; the,=.tube;.,winding: ribbon: from the: spiral .onzthe; tube, pressing; the:

: advancingsside ofr'theeribbon,rearwardlyas? it .is.; placed; om. the tube-,# and varying 1 the:.1.speed of.

rotation: of, and-Ithe speed: ofziadvanceof; the:

tubeain; accordance with .variations:.:in the'tension of: the-spiral in its: travel; tor said. tube.

5. The method of winding a metal ribbon upon. axheatzexchange tube .whichcomprises: rolling; one edgeaofithearibbon for-forming aspirahhavingan: inside? diameter" less than: the, outside: diameter: ottheae tube; rotating; andzadvancing: the tube, 88 conveying; the;- ribbon-spiral tozthe; tubewinding;

ribbon; from" the: spiral on the; .tube, hressing; the; advancing side of the; ribbon: rearwardlyt-aas; it is: placedioni thehtubey-aand; applyinggpressuresto; the;

otheit sideaof: the ribbon: after it has been wound, 40 azishortdistancewnx. thetubex-and varying the speechof; rotation of, and the speed'of advance: ofgthe: tube in accordance. with; variations: inxthe. tensionofr. the .spiral: in" itstravel to said tube. V 6; ;The method.ofa'windinga.metaliribbonzupon. a'zheat exchangeitube whichcomprises:rollingmne: edge of thexribbon forv forming. a.- spiral having. an; inside diameter less; than the; outside diam,- eter ofz'theztube, rotating,- and. advancing the: tube,. 1 conveyingi theribbon spiral to. the: tube, winding. 1 ribbon: from the. spiral son-qthextube pressing, the advancing side; of the ribbon rearwardlyvastitgisi placedon thetube; and; applying; pressure: to both sideszofithei ribbon after itha'sbeen wounda'short. distance: onzthe tube; and; varyingthe speed of rotationzof, and. the' vspeed; of advanceeof, the tube in accordance-p with 1 variations. in" the tension of; the-zspiraliinzits,travel to saidztube; v-

. 7. v 'A machine1 for: applyingrmetal ribbon. on: av heat1exchange.;tube, comprising meansiorroiling; to one; edge; of; aribbon for. forming; a spiral, means including; a curved. member forreceivinggsaidv spiral, and .for. guiding. same; to Y a heat! exchange 1 tube, meansyior; rotatingtandi advancingsaiditube; v and rcmeans for- ;winding. ribbon tfromz the; spiral WP uporntheerotating; andz,- advancing; tuba. t. t. 8;; Agmachine for winding}, metalwribbonr on; a,

heat. exchange tube; comprising a-;pair.-of rolls-ion tube,e .and;:means including-.means;.;responsive toi variations :in .thetension': of-i'thg-spiral' irrits; traveh betweem said; rolls :andi saithminding;means?- ding-zan-metal;

a=heatzexchangetubewhichtcomprises rollingionei '1 edgerofitherribbonriori'orming;aospirahhavingian.

varyingrtherelative speed of said rolls and of said tube rotating and advancing means.

9. A machine for winding metal ribbon on" a heat exchange tube, comprising means for rollingone edge of the ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, means for rotating and advancin a tube, meanslfor receiving the spiral and for guiding same-towards the tube in such a direction that its axis is at substantially a right angle to a plane containing the axis of the tube, and means including means for changing the direction of the spiral through substantially a right angle at the tube for winding ribbon from the spiral upon the tube. I a 10. A machine for winding'metal ribbon ona heat exchangetube, comprising means for rolling one edge of the ribbon for forminga ribbon spiral, means for rotating and advancing atube, means for'receiving the spiral and for guiding same towards the tube in such a direction that its axis is at substantially a right angle to a plane containing the axis of the tube, means including means for changing the direction of the spiral through substantially a right angle at the tube for winding ribbon from the spiral upon the tube, and means for pressing'b'ackwardly the advancing edge of the ribbon as it is wound on the tube for causing the wound ribbon to assume a position substantially perpendicular to the surface of the tube.

11. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising means for rolling one edge of the ribbon for forming. a ribbon spiral, means for rotating and advancing a tube, means for receiving the spiral and for guiding same towards the tube in such a direction that its axis is. at substantially a right angle to a plane containing the axis of the tube, means including a dome shaped roll having its axis substantially at a right angle to said plane for changing the direction of the spiral at the tube, and means for winding ribbon from the spiral upon the tube.

12. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rolls for rolling one edge of a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral as it passes.

from between the rolls of said pair, means for varying the position of said grooved roll relative said pair of rolls for adjusting the diameter of the spiral, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for rotating and advancing a tube, and means for winding ribbon from said spiral on said tube as it is adavnced and rotated.

13. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rolls for rolling one edge of a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the'spiral as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral in such a direction toward said tube that its axis is at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said tube, and means including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from said spiral on said tube as it is advanced and rotated.

14. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rolls for rolling one edge if a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral .as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means or varying the position of said grooved ro1l-rela-- tive said pair of rolls for adjusting the diameter of the spiral, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral insuch a direction towards said tube that its axis is at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said tube, and means including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from said spiral on said tube as it is advanced and rotated. 15. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rolls for rolling one edge if a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral in such a direction towards said tube that its axis is at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said tube, means including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from said spiral on said tube as it is advanced and rotated, and means for pressing the advancing edge of said ribbon back- Wardly as it is wound on said tube.

16. A machine for winding metal ribbon on 'a heat exchange tube, comprising a'pair of rolls for rolling one edge of a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means for varying the position of said grooved roll relative said pair of rolls for adjusting the diameter of the spiral, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for'rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral in such a direction towards said tube that its axis isat an angle to plane containing the axis of said tube, means including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from said spiral onsaid tube as it is advanced and rotated, and mean for pressing the advancing edge of said ribbon backwardly as it is wound on'said tube."

17. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a" heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rails for rolling one edge ofa ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means for rotating the rolls of said pair, means for rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral in such adirection towards saidtube that its axis is at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said tube, means including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from said spiral on said tube as'it is advanced and rotated, means for pressing the advancing edge of said ribbon backwardly as it is wound on said tube, and means for maintaining said ribbon substantially perpendicular to the surface of said tube as it is wound thereon.

18. A machine for winding metal ribbon on a heat exchange tube, comprising a pair of rolls for-rolling one'edge of a ribbon for forming a ribbon spiral, a grooved roll placed to receive in its groove, the outer edge of the spiral as it passes from between the rolls of said pair, means for varying the position of said grooved roll relativesaid pair of rolls for adjusting the diameter of the spiral, means for'rotating'the rolls of said pair, means for. rotating and advancing a tube, means for guiding said spiral in such a direction towards said tube that its axis is at an angle to a plane containing the axis of said. tube, mean including means for changing the direction of said spiral for winding ribbon from saidfspiral on said tube-as it is advanced and rotated; means for pressing the advancing edge of said ribbon backwa'rdly as it is wound on said tube, and means iorniaintaining said ribbon substantially perpendicular; to the surface of said tube as it is wound thereon.

19. The method of forming extended heat exchange surface on a. tubelwhlch comprises rollir g one edge of a metal ribbon to form an advancing spiral having a sni' aQ ler inside diameter than the outside diameter cf-the tube, receiving the spiral as it is forme d guiding it adjacent the'tube in such a. direction that its axis is at substantially a right angle to a plane containing the axis of the tubei rotating and advancing the tube, changing the direction 01 the spiral at the tube through substantially a right angle.

new-e144 and winding ribbon from the spiral on the tube.

; 20. The method of forming extended heat exchange surface on a tube, which comprises rollling one edge of a metal ribbon to form an advancing spiral having a smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter'of the tube, receiving the spiral as it is formed and guiding it adjacent the tube in such a direction that its axis is at substantially a right angle to a plane containing the axis of the tube, rotating and advancing the tube, changing the direction of the spiral at the tube through substantially a right angle,

winding ribbon from the spiralon the tube, and

forcing the ribbon'to assume a position substantially perpendicular to the tube as it is wound thereon whereby it tightly grips the tube surface.

ROBERT M. 5 1mm. 

